Severe Atopic Dermatitis In Spain: A Real-Life Observational Study

• Published in: Therapeutics and clinical risk management Vol. 15; pp. 1393 - 1401
• Main Authors: Sicras-Mainar, Antoni, Navarro-Artieda, Ruth, Armario-Hita, José C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Taylor & Francis Ltd 01.01.2019; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Biological products; biologics; Comorbidity; Dermatitis; Disease management; Eczema; Epidemiology; Immunoglobulins; immunosuppressants; Immunosuppressive agents; Medical treatment; Observational studies; Original Research; Quality of life; severe atopic dermatitis; Transdermal medication; treatment; Spain; epidemiology; treatment; comorbidity; biologics; severe atopic dermatitis; immunosuppressants
• ISSN: 1176-6336; 1178-203X; 1178-203X
• DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S226456

To determine the epidemiology and characterize the treatment prescribed for severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in children/adults in usual clinical practice. Observational, retrospective study made through review of medical records of Spanish patients aged ≥6 years. Patients diagnosed with severe AD who required care between 2013 and 2017 were included. The study groups were: 6-12 years; 13-18 years; and > 18 years. Patients were followed for 5 years. The main measurements were the prevalence of AD, comorbidity and treatment duration. Statistical significance was established as p <0.05. We included 2323 patients with severe AD. The overall prevalence was 0.10% (95% CI: 0.09-0.11%) and was 0.39%, 0.23% and 0.07% in the 6-12 years, 13-18 years and >18 years age groups, respectively (p <0.001), the percentage of males was 58%, 48.6% and 39%, respectively, and general comorbidity was 0.1, 0.2 and 0.9 points, respectively (p <0.001).The most frequent comorbidities were asthma in 49.0%, 44.9% and 20.8%, respectively (p <0.001), and anxiety in 79.7%, 65.8% and 67.3%, respectively (p <0.001). Oral corticosteroids were administered in 97.3%, 90.9% and 81.7%, respectively (concomitant-medication). Cyclosporine (45.3%), azathioprine (15.9%) and methotrexate (9.0%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs; biologic agents were administered in 5.8% of patients (for AD). In AD the presence of comorbidities was significant, especially in the psychological, immunoallergic and cardiovascular areas. Cyclosporine was the most widely used immunosuppressant. There was a degree of variability in the use and duration of the treatments prescribed.